Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Barbaros del Ritmo - Palo de Mayo (1971)

All around the edge of the Caribbean, where the sea meets the sand, the presence of African music is pervasive. Carried to the shores of various countries as slaves, or making their way there as escapees, Africans settled and integrated with local indigenous populations and descendants of colonial conquerors. While the music of Haiti and Cuba are completely familiar, and the cumbias of Colombia have swept the world, some less developed countries have equally compelling coastal music, varying from place to place depending on the cultural mix.

Palo de Mayo is Nicaragua's contribution to this musical diversity, and this was the first recorded Palo de Mayo album. Sung in English and mískito, the dominant indigenous language on Nicaragua's coast, this folkloric style is like mento on steroids. Most of the songs are Caribbean standards, but you will be surprised at the rendering. This is straight out party music, developed to celebrate May 1, harkening back to English celebrations from centuries ago.

Barbaros del Ritmo were the primary band of Bluefields, Nicaragua's small port, during the 60s and early 70s. This record was produced by Charlie Robb, the country's leading musician of the day, and his cosmopolitan experience added significantly to the horn arrangements. His trombone and sax contributions are essential. Despite its origin in one of the smallest of places, this music smokes. Try to be still, while listening to it. I predict you will be moving.

Remember Grupo Gamma? I believe they preceded Dimension Costeña. Do you have any of Philip Montalban's music? I am trying to convince him to do more in Miskito and capture a totally new niche at the same time preserving that wonderful language in song. If you don't have any of Philip's music, give me a mailing address and I will try to get some to you. Lil in Managua

@John - Thanks, John. The two I have and will post are De Que Suda Suda, and Palo de Mayo. I have another one from a band called Run Down, too, though as I recall it's not exactly palo de mayo, more just folkloric coastal Caribbean.

@Ken - Tell your friend there is more coming! I knew some people from Bluefields. . . Some of my friends worked there, too. I was there twice, I think.

What a difference between this one & the Dimension Costena 12 yaears later - - you cana lmost see the groups catching up with production techniques etc! But boy this is good too - and what fantastic song titles (even if standards!) :-) Thank you!

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